Apple launches 21.5-inch, 27-inch iMacs

updated 12:25 pm EDT, Tue October 20, 2009

by MacNN Staff

iMac redesigned for 16:9, Core i7

Apple today completely revised its iMac with a new design and much faster performance. The series now switches to wider 16:9 aspect ratio, LED-backlit displays and a new look with edge-to-edge glass and a seamless aluminum body. The displays are also much denser and start at 1920x1080 (1080p) for a 21.5-inch display and an extremely sharp 2560x1440 for a new, largest-ever 27-inch model. Both now use color-accurate IPS (in-plane switching) displays versus the cheaper TN (twisted nematic) panel from the old 20-inch iMac.

The lineup also marks the first appearance of Intel's Nehalem architecture in a Mac outside of the Mac Pro and sees certain 27-inch models use Core i5 or Core i7 quad-core processors that should dramatically speed performance; the Core i7 part supports Hyperthreading and theoretically behaves like an eight-core processor under certain circumstances.

Apple's design also incorporates important design changes such as the addition of an SD card slot, four notebook-sized RAM slots that handle up to 16GB of memory, Mini DisplayPort output, and the inclusion of both a wireless keyboard and Apple's new multi-touch aware Magic Mouse.

The line starts at $1,199 for a 21.5-inch iMac with a 3.06GHz Core 2 Duo, 4GB of RAM, GeForce 9400M integrated graphics, a 500GB hard drive and a DVD burner. A higher-end version of the smaller system at $1,499 adds dedicated ATI Radeon HD 4670 graphics and doubles hard drive space to 1TB.

27-inch models begin at $1,699 with the same specifications as the higher-end 21.5-inch model. A $1,999 model brings a 2.66GHz Core i5 and Radeon HD 4850 video without changing other features. A build to order option exists for a 2.8GHz Core i7 processor.

The 21.5-inch model is shipping immediately from the online Apple Store, but 27-inch models won't arrive until November.

I'm not sure if I should crack the piggy bank or put the piggy bank on crack because a fully pimped iMac can now run over $4000 plus sales taxes. Who on earth would pay that kind of money? As always Apple are charging double the market price for additional RAM to it's a quick shufty over to macsales or somebody for realistic prices!

The pejorative applied to our friends in the New World is "Merkin" and not "Mercan". The word dates back to the days of Shakespeare and is worth looking up for the laugh and a warning that it's not exactly pleasant and therefore quite an insult. I'm guessing also that mbpcedric hasn't worked out how much all that pimping the iMac would cost.

Why no matte screens? We've waited for years for Apple to listen to us. We need more petition comments at http://macmatte.wordpress.com - so far there are close to 600 comments. We need to get into the 1000's before Apple will listen.

Why no matte screens? We've waited for years for Apple to listen to us. We need more petition comments at http://macmatte.wordpress.com - so far there are close to 600 comments. We need to get into the 1000's before Apple will listen.

Really nice update, i am actually considering replacing my aging Mac Pro with a new 27" iMac, and if there were a non-glossy version and a blu-ray options, i'd be filling out a requisition form right now.

As of now may give it some time to see if they are coming out with a new Mac Pro for holidays.

What? 1000 comments for apple to listen? Dream on. Apple does not listen to customers unless it fits into their plans. For years people have complained that there's no headless iMac (for lack of a better term) to sit between the mini and the pro. Still waiting, and it will never happen.

Apple likes glossy because it looks a lot better on the sales room floor. And as people state, you just need to reconfigure your office space to lose the glare. Change the lights. Maybe black out the windows. Simple things like that.

lack of matte display on any Mac I would be interested in has had me putting of purchasing new iMac for a while now.
The 21,5" sure looked enticing, but it is disappointing they'll make you pay €250,- for a €60,- graphics card (ATi 4670). Sure, you get 500Gb extra hd too, but I don't really need that much space.
At least they don't make you pay extra for a wired keyboard with numeric keypad...

Specs certainly are impressive, BUT I do my "computing" in a room with a huge amount of natural, wonderful light. I'm NOT about to turn it into a cave because they are "one button mousing" me by insisting I HAVE to see my face all the time instead of what is coming from behind the screen.

For ALL the years we had proper matte screens, not one person was clamoring for highly reflective screens. Now we have the fanboi's mocking and trying to shout down anyone expressing a reservation about high gloss screens. They eventually did relent on laptops (of course, they charge extra for it and I bet you the margin is ALREADY high on the matte screen laptops).

They will "get away" with this because they're only really interested in the raw consumer, someone who couldn't appreciate the difference.

[RANT] What the fanbois seem incapable of grasping is that the glossy effect is a feature designed to conceal the shortcomings of TN panels. Remember the days when Apple used decent SIPS and SPVA displays. That was in the days when their customers were discerning professionals and not consumer jackdaws attracted by the shiny! Anti-reflective micro-louvre technologies don't work with crappy TN technology and it's lousy viewing angle and an LED backlight isn't going to improve the gaudy lack of colour accuracy. Apple are progessively reducing the cost of manufacture by using cheaper components whilst maintaining their prices. The new MacBook with its' non-removeable battery is considerably cheaper to make, they've removed the firewire and associated chipset and haven't changed the price! [/RANT]

It seems some people will always find a reason not to buy: Glossy Screen, All in One, upgrades cost to much. There was a time when I would have chimed in with very similar comments. But almost two years ago my old Graphite iMac died and needed replacing and I finally bought a new iMac. It sits in the Kitchen with a lot of natural light and a full sliding door behind it. I have never had even a minor annoyance with the glossy scree, the all in one configuration is compact an works perfectly on a small desk. The way I figure it is when I upgrade my CPU I'm going to get a new larger screen anyway.

Are you kidding me?
These new iMacs are a huge improvement! The basic 27" comes with a much higher rez screen, WIDE screen at that, nice graphics card, a TB HD, wireless key/mouse...all for $1700.
I don't know about you but I'm all over it.
I think matte screens are dull, just like matte paper. It looks great for black and white but glossy makes color pop. Don't get me wrong here, it appalls me that Apple still doesn't offer a choice!

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